12 reviews
Great introduction for Garak
The only important thing is not to betray yourself
A Bajoran freedom-fighter/terrorist seeks asylum in DS9.
This is strong episode with some great character interaction and it sets the scene for relations between Bajorans and Cardassians, plus the Federation's role in keeping the peace.
One of the best aspects of this episode is the introduction of Garak. He is depicted as a very intriguing character with some eccentric personality traits that make him entertaining to watch. Andrew Robinson creates a strong first impression and has good chemistry with Alexander Siddig.
Kira Nerys has a lot of solid establishing scenes that show the awkward situation her character is depicted to be in whilst serving on DS9. Nana Visitor is electric in most scenes as a passionate, fiery character dealing with the aftermath of an occupation. Her scenes with Rene Auberjonoir in particular are very compelling.
Avery Brooks is solid and at this point starting to develop a commanding presence in the lead role.
Jeffrey Nordling is good as Tahna Los, but the character is written as quite a one-note antagonist. The Duras Sister though are great value for their screen time as they were on The Next Generation.
This is strong episode with some great character interaction and it sets the scene for relations between Bajorans and Cardassians, plus the Federation's role in keeping the peace.
One of the best aspects of this episode is the introduction of Garak. He is depicted as a very intriguing character with some eccentric personality traits that make him entertaining to watch. Andrew Robinson creates a strong first impression and has good chemistry with Alexander Siddig.
Kira Nerys has a lot of solid establishing scenes that show the awkward situation her character is depicted to be in whilst serving on DS9. Nana Visitor is electric in most scenes as a passionate, fiery character dealing with the aftermath of an occupation. Her scenes with Rene Auberjonoir in particular are very compelling.
Avery Brooks is solid and at this point starting to develop a commanding presence in the lead role.
Jeffrey Nordling is good as Tahna Los, but the character is written as quite a one-note antagonist. The Duras Sister though are great value for their screen time as they were on The Next Generation.
- snoozejonc
- Nov 22, 2021
- Permalink
Round one to Sisko
Choosing Your Alliances
- Samuel-Shovel
- Jun 25, 2020
- Permalink
What do we do with a Bajoran exile?
The new relationship and command structure of DS9 gets a test here as Nana Visitor and Avery Brooks are at odds over how to handle the arrival of former
Bajoran freedom fighter Jeffrey Nordling coming to DS9 with some Cardassians
in hot pursuit. They want him for terrorist acts, Nordling wants asylum.
There's more to it than that. The infamous Klingon Douras sisters also arrive at DS9. And Andrew Robinson shows how his rather intriguing character Garak the Cardassian tailor has his fingers in many pies.
Confrontation scenes between Sisko and Kira are key here and well done.
There's more to it than that. The infamous Klingon Douras sisters also arrive at DS9. And Andrew Robinson shows how his rather intriguing character Garak the Cardassian tailor has his fingers in many pies.
Confrontation scenes between Sisko and Kira are key here and well done.
- bkoganbing
- Oct 10, 2019
- Permalink
"Go over my head again, and I'll have yours on a platter!"
- classicsoncall
- May 10, 2024
- Permalink
Classic DS9 - Introducing Elim Garak
Brilliantly, the franchise decided to jump from the very heavy, convoluted and intense Emissary which revolved around Ben Sisko and the precarious situation which would center on him for the next seven years directly into a no-less-serious but very different drama. More importantly, this is the episode which first unleashed the great Andy Robinson into his very beautifully developed recurring character Elim Garak - the most popular Cardassian in Star Trek history and perhaps the most sympathetic alien (besides Spock) in the canon. Garak is, of course, introduced by way of his relationship with Dr. Bashir (Alex Siddig, then credited as Siddig El Faddil) and throughout the series Siddig's best episodes will most often be those featuring Garak.
Garak is either a left-behind Cardassian tailor or a Cardassian spy or both, and he is particularly concerned about the arrival of a Bejoran "Terrorist" (or freedom fighter, depending on your perspective) who has been running from Cardassian authorities and is seeking asylum. Kira,of course, knows Tahna Los, the suspected terrorist, and pleads with Sisko to allow him to stay.
As the story develops, the powerful ethnic conflict between Bejorans and Cardassians becomes a central focus. This will be well-exploited throughout all seven of DS9's seasons. And Garak's contribution to the depth and range of what it is to be a Cardassian ensured that the Cardies could never become just another franchise stereotype disguised by a forehead prosthetic. Finally, Past Prologue allows some breathing room for Avery Brooks to settle into his role as Ben Sisko, and includes some important developments in his relationships to Kira, Odo, and the Cardassian military.
Acting highlights - Robinson, Visitor, Siddig, Brooks and Auberjonois are all terrific in Past Prologue.
As usual, the episode is economically directly and scripted, well-shot and thoroughly entertaining from start to finish.
Garak is either a left-behind Cardassian tailor or a Cardassian spy or both, and he is particularly concerned about the arrival of a Bejoran "Terrorist" (or freedom fighter, depending on your perspective) who has been running from Cardassian authorities and is seeking asylum. Kira,of course, knows Tahna Los, the suspected terrorist, and pleads with Sisko to allow him to stay.
As the story develops, the powerful ethnic conflict between Bejorans and Cardassians becomes a central focus. This will be well-exploited throughout all seven of DS9's seasons. And Garak's contribution to the depth and range of what it is to be a Cardassian ensured that the Cardies could never become just another franchise stereotype disguised by a forehead prosthetic. Finally, Past Prologue allows some breathing room for Avery Brooks to settle into his role as Ben Sisko, and includes some important developments in his relationships to Kira, Odo, and the Cardassian military.
Acting highlights - Robinson, Visitor, Siddig, Brooks and Auberjonois are all terrific in Past Prologue.
As usual, the episode is economically directly and scripted, well-shot and thoroughly entertaining from start to finish.
Tightly executed story with great characters
- Nominahorn
- Aug 27, 2018
- Permalink
Is this episode 2 or 3? I dunno...
This episode is listed as episode 2 on IMDb. However, when shown on Netflix, it's listed as episode 3. I really am not sure which is which--perhaps you know for sure.
When the episode begins, the tailor, Garak, is introduced as he works hard to build a relationship with Dr. Bashir. He's obviously a Cardassian spy--but why would he foster this relationship with the Doctor? At the same time, an old associate of Major Kiera in the Bajoran underground is headed towards Deep Space 9--with the Cardassians in hot pursuit. When he asks for asylum on base, what is Sisko to do? And, why did he arrive here? Well, it gets even more interesting when two Klingons arrive. How will these three players' stories intersect? See the show.
The main reasons for this episode are to further explore Major Kiera's dilemma of divided loyalties as well as to introduce a semi-regular character, Garak. All in all, rather exciting and worth seeing--and a lot better than the dull and artsy premier episode.
When the episode begins, the tailor, Garak, is introduced as he works hard to build a relationship with Dr. Bashir. He's obviously a Cardassian spy--but why would he foster this relationship with the Doctor? At the same time, an old associate of Major Kiera in the Bajoran underground is headed towards Deep Space 9--with the Cardassians in hot pursuit. When he asks for asylum on base, what is Sisko to do? And, why did he arrive here? Well, it gets even more interesting when two Klingons arrive. How will these three players' stories intersect? See the show.
The main reasons for this episode are to further explore Major Kiera's dilemma of divided loyalties as well as to introduce a semi-regular character, Garak. All in all, rather exciting and worth seeing--and a lot better than the dull and artsy premier episode.
- planktonrules
- Dec 8, 2014
- Permalink
Solid Kira episode!
- thevacinstaller
- Mar 7, 2020
- Permalink
Whose Side Are You On?
When a Bajoran terrorist shows up, Kira is conflicted, having been involved in revolutionary activities. Unfortunately, this guy has become a megalomaniac and is extremely dangerous. Conflict develops between Kira and Sisco and Kira. Meanwhile, Garak the tailor is introduced and entreats the Doctor to become his friend. Soon a couple of Klingon women show up and begin to bargain a serious weapon. Sisco is still learning the ropes, so he feels he must be absolutely fair in every situation, not totally trusting Odo's judgment and recognizing that Kira is a loose cannon. Some really significant bonds are formed in this episode.
Make bajor great again.
- amusinghandle
- Apr 11, 2024
- Permalink